WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of product candidates using its proprietary mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology, today announced the appointment of Todd Bazemore as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. He will report directly to Mark Iwicki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kala Pharmaceuticals and is expected to join Kala on November 20, 2017.

“We welcome Todd to the team. He brings a proven track record and significant experience in sales, marketing and market access that will be integral as we prepare Kala to become a commercial organization,” said Mark Iwicki. “Additionally, Todd’s strategic know-how in business development and new product planning will prove critical as we build the organization and look to maximize the potential of our MPP platform.”

Todd Bazemore commented, “It’s a transformational time for Kala as its lead product candidates, INVELTYS and KPI-121 0.25%, are approaching the finish line with the potential to enhance the treatment for two important ocular conditions. I look forward to working with the team as Kala makes the transition to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with commercial capabilities.”

Todd is a biopharmaceutical executive with 23 years of experience spanning from ultra-rare orphan diseases to large primary care conditions. Prior to joining Kala Pharmaceuticals, Todd served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Santhera Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc. since September 2016, where he was instrumental in building the U.S. operations to support the company’s regulatory and commercial strategy. Prior to joining Santhera U.S., Todd served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Dyax Corp., where he was responsible for global commercial strategy and oversight of all commercial functions. Dyax was acquired by Shire Plc in January of 2016. Prior to joining Dyax, Todd was at Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (previously Sepracor Inc., prior to its acquisition by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd), where he served in several roles of increasing responsibility including Vice President, Managed Markets, Vice President of Sales, and Vice President of Respiratory Business Unit. He began his career in sales at MURO Pharmaceuticals. Todd has a Bachelor’s of Science in Health from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

About Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Kala is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology, with an initial focus on the treatment of eye diseases. Kala has applied the MPP technology to a corticosteroid designed for ocular applications, resulting in two lead product candidates. The product candidates are INVELTYSTM (KPI-121 1%) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery, for which we have submitted a NDA, and KPI-121 0.25% for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, which is currently in Phase 3 clinical development.